Daily Republican., 1887-08-03
THE STORMS FURY.
Great Damage and Loss OF Life A n His
toric Church Demolished by Light
ning- Bursting OF Dam


ning- Bursting OF q Dam.
READING, Pa, August 2.-Ooe OF
the most terrific storms ever witnessed
In this section passed over Strouchs.
burg, this county, last night, ard many
fields and buildings were flooded In
the midst OF the storm four vivid fl ashes
of lightning we're seen, and were fol-
lowed by loud peals of thunder. Imme
distely thereafter the historic Christ
Lutheran Church. q lie from town,
was discovered to be on fire, and In an
hour the beautiful church was In ruins,
the Sunday school organ alone being
saved. The loss to the congregation
will be $50. GOO; insurance, IS 900.
This edifice WAS one of the land
marks OF the Lutheran Church In
America. Its corner stone was laid in
1743. The church WAS rebuilt in 1876
and two years ago WAS damaged by .
dynamite explosion, after which 1t WAS
improved ut . cost of $1,000. EI,
Governor Andrew Schultz was born In
its parsonage, and worsbiped there.
The Muhlenberes frequently preached
there. 1t was one Of the first Lutheran
churches built In this country.
WILKE1BARRE, August IA dam
burst yesterday, letting the wstrr down
in the village Of Parsons. The whole
town was flooded, and the people had
to fee for their lives. A little girl
tanned Aunie q linn was caught In the
current and drowned Her body was
found five miles away. Four bridges
were washed away, and 500 feet Of the
Jersey Cantral tracks carried off. Mr..
Melro's house was carried down the
dam, but the inmates were rescued by Q
party Of men IN boats.
At Laurel Run the mad waters
caught fifty loaded cars on . side
track and dashed item down the noun
tain like kindlibg wood. A mile and q
half Of the track wss also carried away
with the cara. All the houses on Ash
The loss to the railroad company Ia
about bs5 600; to town property, about
$50 900.
The waters Of Coalbro7k creek carried
off two bridges In the northern part OF
the town.
ASHLAND Pa August 2.-During a
heavy rain and thunderstorm last
evening Mrs. William Geist, residing
In mmermnntowp, Q farming village
In Mahontongs Valley, was struck BY
lightning and Instantly killed while
standing In her husbands store. The
building WAS set on fire, but the flames
were extinsuished before much dam
ags was done.
KNOXVILLE, Pa, .,August2.-Between
and 3 O'Clock yesterday afternoon .
terrific rain and hail storm and cyclone
parsed over the region south OF this
plaza. extending through the edge Of
Deerfield Township and Chatham.
Grain was levelled to the ground and
many forest and orchard trees were torn
up by the roots.
OTHER STORMS.
NEW BRUNSWICK, N. j., August a.
A hurricane, accompanied with rain
and bail, prevailed here for an hour and
half this afternoon. The rainfall was
the heaviest In many years. The streets
are dtluat and badly damaged. The
house OF james Banker was struck by
lightning. and had the end torn out.
Several baros in the country about
Deans and Millstone wtrs also struck,
The cellars in the city are filed, and the
Janeway 81 Co., the Empire Machine
Works and other places. Considerable
damage has been done The corn crop
is badly damaged. The storm was felt
over section twelve tiles In width.
CHARLESTON, w. Va, Aug. q
Shortly after 6 O'Clock this evening Q
heavy wind and rain storm visited this
city anu vicinity, resulting in uproot
ing msUy hne shade trees, blowing
down fences, unroofing buildings and
overturning small houses Reports
from the country say the damage is
heavy.